YA Book Focus: Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard

Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard
Delacorte Books for Young Readers
March, 2012
My Rating: (4/5)

What Its About:

Wanderlove is a coming of age story. Bria is 18, has just had her heart broken, and is trying to move on. Shes just graduated from high school and before heading to college for art (something she was supposed to do with her ex-boyfriend, by the way), she wants to travel. She and her two best friends were planning on going together, but her friends ditch her at the last minute something about her attitude not being healthy. In a very un-Bria like move, she decides to go alone.

And so this is the story of her travels. The tour group that she was supposed to travel with is a disappointment from the start all older people who have little or no passion for their surroundings at all. So when she comes across some backpackers, real travelers, shes challenged. Challenged to break away from the safe, comfortable, boring tour group and experience Europe in a way few have. Of course she meets a guy, but she is so not looking for love on this trip. She has heart healing that needs to happen. Sometimes, though these things are out of our control.

What I Thought:

There were so many things I loved about this book. The characters are strong and very real, the setting is vividly shown, and it is really very well-written. The romance was sweet and believable. What I learned about life as a backpacker was fascinating! There were some humorous travel lists, and Brias sketches in her journal (done by the author in real life) really added to the story. BUT. And this is a big but. I was turned off by the bad language and crudity. Some of the things described made me uncomfortable. It felt like too much for a teen novel, though I do realize its an older teen novel. It still felt like too much. If that had been left out, this would have been a five-star novel for me.

Please note that the copy I read was an ARC, so who knows? Some of that might be left out before publishing. I hope so. Find it on Amazon.com here.

Detailed Rating Breakdown:
Characters: 9/10
Plot: 9/10
Writing: 9/10
Creativity: 9/10
Cover: 10/10

Overall Rating:
(4/5)

Parents Corner:
Violence
Moderate Cursing
Sexual Content
Drug/Alcohol Abuse

Book source: Digital PDF borrowed from NetGalley and returned after 90 days. Amazon links are my affiliate links.

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